Deke Bellavia

Deke: Saints Draft history; a look at position picks

by Deke Bellavia,posted Apr 21 2014 2:11PM

As the Saints prepare for the 2014 NFL Draft, over the next several days we’ll look back at some of the great moments in Saints Draft history. This May the Saints will participate in the Draft for the 48th time.

Let’s look at the picks of the Black & Gold. Previously the Saints selected 523 players in 47 college drafts. In addition, the Saints were allowed to pick from a select group of players in the 167 Expansion Draft. And, New Orleans landed three players including a member of the “Dome Patrol,” LB Vaughn Johnson, in the 1984 USFL Supplemental Draft.

A few more interesting notes: the Black & Gold drafted more running backs (69) than any other position. Next in line, wide receivers--a total of 66. And, the third most drafted position-- 63 linebackers.

So, where do the Saints players come from? The Saints have taken more players from the University of Southern California (17) than of any other school. (16) Nebraska Corn Huskers have been drafted by the Saints, (12) Ohio State Buckeyes, (11) Notre Dame players and (10) from the Boomer Sooners.

And, what about the Saints first NFL Draft pick? On March 14, 1967 the Saints picked Alabama full back Leslie Kelly with the 26th pick in the first round. In that first ever Black & Gold draft, the expansion Saints were given the first and last choices of each round (17 rounds). And the Saints also got an additional choice at the end of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds of the Draft.

Later this week we will take a look at some of the early successes the Saints had with draft picks in their first few drafts.